Tuesday, November 22, 2011

last minute thanksgiving crafts for kids {tutorials}

Are you getting ready for Thanksgiving today like I am? My kids are out of school already, so I'll be looking for things to keep them busy while I bust out the best yams ever, a pumpkin pie, and a batch of my famous rolls. Busy day, but it will make Thanksgiving day so much more enjoyable!

My cute friend Kerri is one of those moms who has a true talent for mothering. There are so many good moms out there, but I think most of us have to work at it A LOT. She is one of the few for whom it seems to come totally naturally (at least that's how it seems to me--she might have a different opionion!). But one thing I love that she does is craft with her girls--all 5 of them! She was so generous to share a few fun Thanksgiving crafts so the rest of us don't have to try so hard for once. Thanks, Kerri!

Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids

Nature Hunt Banner
In preparing for Turkey Day the girls and I love to make this
banner...we're going on the 4th year in a row. Super fun and a great way
to involve your kiddos in Thanksgiving decorating!

You need:

Twine string or ribbon to hang your banner with

Hot glue gun

Scissors

Construction paper

(or any paper you think would look cute--you could use scrapbook paper in fall colors)

You start by going on a scavenger
hunt in your yard or the park or mountains searching for things to
create your letters with...once that's done head home and get creative!

I had previously drawn the letters on the paper to make it easier for my children to create.
Use scissors to cut down your items and the glue gun to stick them on. I
have used tacky craft glue and it works fine just takes a bit longer to
dry but is more kid friendly. Using the glue gun is usually my job.

When
you are done hang the letters on your twine or string either with
clothes pins or by folding the top of the paper down 1/2" and tapping
over the twine. This is my first year using clothes pins and I kind of
like it!

Here
is some of the individual creativity...I love how fun they turn out
notice the crab apple on top of the pine cone for the letter I. And the accent on the letter A.

Painted Pumpkin Rock Place Cards

Another
fun fast kid craft...painting pumpkin rocks we might just use these for
these for thanksgiving "place cards."

You will need:

Rocks

Orange paint
( I used tempera washable just because I have young children who tend to
get messy!)

Twigs

Paint your rocks orange. Select a twig cut it to
size and glue gun it on and voila--Thanksgiving decor! Or write a name on each rock with a marker and use it on your Thanksgiving table!